Information providing method, management system, and terminal

Abstract

To provide an information providing method capable of supporting a user to appropriately grasp a replacement time of a lighting apparatus by paying attention to illuminance of a space where the lighting apparatus is installed.SOLUTION: Acquiring, via a network, illuminance data obtained from an illuminometer that measures a spatial illuminance corresponding to one spatial block among a plurality of spatial blocks constituting one space; Based on the illuminance data, after it is determined that the space illuminance corresponding to one space block is lowered to a predetermined ratio to reach the minimum set illuminance and is in a decreasing trend below a fixed reference set corresponding to one space block, replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace a group of all illumination devices corresponding to one space block among the plurality of illumination devices is transmitted to the user terminal 60 to be displayed on the user terminal 60 using one space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing method, a management system, and a terminal device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting replacement timing specification system that can reduce the running costs of lighting equipment while controlling the illuminance of lighting fixtures to be constant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-59133 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-303663 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-73314 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an information providing method that focuses on the illuminance of a space in which a lighting device is installed and can assist a user in appropriately determining when to replace the lighting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information providing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information providing method in a management system that manages a space in which a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting devices are installed, the information providing method comprising: acquiring, via a network, illuminance data obtained from an illuminometer that measures spatial illuminance corresponding to a spatial block among a plurality of spatial blocks that make up the space; determining, based on the illuminance data, that the spatial illuminance corresponding to the spatial block has decreased to a predetermined percentage of the minimum set illuminance and is on a decreasing trend below a certain standard set for the spatial block; and then transmitting replacement recommendation data, indicating that it is time to replace all of the LED lighting devices among the plurality of LED lighting devices that correspond to the spatial block, to a terminal device of a user using the space for display on the terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the information providing method of the present disclosure, the focus is on the illuminance of the space in which the lighting devices are placed, rather than the illuminance of each individual lighting device, and the user can appropriately determine when to replace the lighting device based on the illuminance of that space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a lighting management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a space block, specifically a top view of the space. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the reduction in illuminance in a space block. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the lighting management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the lighting management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the lighting management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the illuminance management information. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for the illuminance status in a space block. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of illuminance history information. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the prediction of the life span. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a lifespan prediction screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for the replacement recommendation message. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the power management information. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for power consumption in a space block. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of lighting device information. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contractor information. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of building information. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the exchange plan. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of cost information. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the exchange plan confirmation screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation for presenting the simulation result of the illuminance. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for the simulation results of illuminance. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the operation for determining the contents of the replacement recommendation message. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Knowledge that led to the present disclosure) LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting equipment has a longer lifespan than lighting equipment such as incandescent bulbs, and although the illuminance gradually decreases over time, it does not burn out, making it difficult for users to determine when to replace the bulb.

[0009] Therefore, it is common for LED lighting equipment to be recommended for replacement based on the number of hours it has been on or the number of years it has been installed.

[0010] In addition, for LED lighting equipment, taking into account the characteristic that illuminance gradually decreases with age, a commonly adopted method is to keep the amount of current used for LED lighting constant throughout the entire lifespan of the LED, while designing the initial illuminance high in advance so that the illuminance level will remain above the set illuminance even if the illuminance decreases with age.

[0011] However, with this method, while the LED lighting equipment provides extra brightness beyond the set illuminance in the initial stage after installation, as the equipment approaches the end of its lifespan, the illuminance gradually decreases due to deterioration over time, making it difficult for users to notice that the lighting is getting darker.

[0012] In response to this, methods have been studied that control the amount of current supplied to LED lighting devices so as to maintain a set illuminance, rather than keeping the amount of current constant. This makes it possible to maintain the set illuminance throughout the LED's lifespan, even if the illuminance gradually decreases due to aging (Patent Document 1: JP 2007-59133 A). However, with this method, the amount of current supplied to the LED lighting device increases the longer the LED lighting device is used. Because the amount of current supplied to the LED lighting device increases gradually over a long period of time, there is a problem in that users are less likely to notice an increase in their electricity bills.

[0013] That is, each of the above methods has its advantages and disadvantages.

[0014] Rather, in any of the above methods, the solution to each problem is to properly inform users when it is time to replace their LED lighting equipment.

[0015] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for a lighting fixture replacement system that determines when to replace an LED lighting fixture, in which the system performs maintenance control of illuminance so that the illuminance of the lighting fixture remains constant, stores lighting replacement cost data, accepts input of power consumption cost data required for maintaining and controlling the illuminance, and determines when to replace the lighting fixture based on the lighting replacement cost data and the power consumption cost data.

[0016] However, Patent Document 1 focuses on the illuminance of each individual LED lighting device, and does not focus on the illuminance for users who use the space where the LED lighting devices are installed.

[0017] Generally, multiple LED lighting devices are installed in a space such as a living room, and these multiple LED lighting devices form the illuminance of the space where the user is located.

[0018] Therefore, even if replacing each individual LED lighting device improves the brightness of each individual LED lighting device, it does not necessarily improve the brightness of the entire space where the user is located.

[0019] Patent Document 2 (JP 2004-303663 A) discloses a technology that can illuminate an illumination area at a target illuminance even when there is unusual external light. In Patent Document 2, the dimming rate of the lighting load is controlled so that the illuminance value of the lighting fixtures in the illumination area is a value obtained by subtracting the illuminance value of the external light calculated and corrected by an external light level calculation means from a preset target illuminance. As a result, the illuminance value of the illumination area due to unusual external light, such as the setting sun, is corrected, and the illumination area is illuminated at the target illuminance or an illuminance close to the target illuminance. However, Patent Document 2 does not disclose a technology that focuses on the illuminance of the space in which the lighting equipment is installed and appropriately notifies the user when it is time to replace the lighting equipment.

[0020] Patent Document 3 (JP 2017-73314 A) discloses a technology for reducing changes in illuminance in an illuminated area due to the influence of external light. In Patent Document 3, the luminance of illumination light is controlled within a set luminance range so that the illuminance of the area follows a target illuminance within an allowable range. When the illuminance of external light is decreasing, the minimum value of the luminance range is increased from the initial value. The illuminance of external light, such as sunlight, often decreases sharply. Even in such cases, the illuminance of the illuminated area is prevented from temporarily reaching a lower-than-expected illuminance due to a delay in the control timing of the lighting device. However, Patent Document 3 does not disclose a technology for appropriately notifying a user of the timing for replacing a lighting device by focusing on the illuminance of the space in which the lighting device is installed.

[0021] Therefore, the present invention focuses on the illuminance of the space in which the LED lighting devices are placed, rather than the illuminance of each individual LED lighting device, and determines the lifespan of the LED lighting devices based on the illuminance perceived by the user in that space.

[0022] 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 disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0023] 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.

[0024] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a lighting management system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting management system according to an embodiment.

[0025] The lighting management system 10 is a system that can determine when to replace multiple lighting devices 20 and notify users of the replacement times. The lighting management system 10 virtually divides a space into multiple spatial blocks and manages multiple lighting devices 20 in units of spatial blocks. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a spatial block, specifically a top view of the space.

[0026] In the example of FIG. 2, the space is divided into six space blocks: A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, and B-3. A space block can also be referred to as an area, and multiple lighting devices 20 are installed on the ceiling of each space block. If an area along the same window is set as one space block, as in FIG. 2, it is possible to reduce the variation in the degree of influence of external light within the space block. If areas with a similar degree of influence of external light are set as one space block, the sizes (in other words, the area) of the multiple space blocks do not need to be the same.

[0027] In the example of Figure 2, the space block is a part of a large room, but the space block may be a room itself separated by walls. Furthermore, the multiple space blocks may include a space block corresponding to a room and a space block corresponding to a corridor. In other words, the multiple space blocks may include multiple areas with different purposes of use.

[0028] The lighting management system 10 includes a plurality of lighting devices 20, a plurality of measuring devices 30, an energy management server 40, a system management server 50, a user terminal 60, and a business operator terminal 70. Fig. 1 also shows a network 80 used for communication, which may include a mobile communication network, the Internet, etc.

[0029] In this embodiment, the energy management server 40 and the system management server 50 are described as being separate servers, but a single server may perform the information processing performed by the energy management server 40 and the information processing performed by the system management server 50.

[0030] The lighting device 20 is installed on the ceiling of an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space. The lighting device 20 is, for example, a base light. The lighting device 20 may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. The lighting device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a light source unit 22, a control unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

[0031] The communication unit 21 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the lighting device 20 to communicate with the energy management server 40. The communication unit 21 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication.

[0032] The light source unit 22 emits white light into the indoor space so that the lighting device 20 can illuminate the indoor space. The light source unit 22 is realized by, for example, an LED element, but may also be realized by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or an inorganic EL.

[0033] The control unit 23 controls the light emission of the lighting device 20 based on the control signal received by the communication unit 21 from the energy management server 40. The light emission control here includes on / off control, dimming control, and the like. The control unit 23 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 23 are realized by hardware such as the microcomputer or processor constituting the control unit 23 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 24.

[0034] The storage unit 24 is a storage device that stores various types of information such as computer programs executed by the control unit 23. The storage unit 24 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0035] At least one measuring device 30 is installed in each space block and measures the illuminance in the space block and the power consumption of multiple lighting devices 20 installed in the space block. In other words, the measuring device 30 is both an illuminance meter and a power meter. For simplicity of explanation, this embodiment will be described as one measuring device 30 measuring illuminance and power consumption, but the measuring device 30 that measures illuminance and the measuring device 30 that measures power consumption may be separate entities. The measuring device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a measurement unit 32, a control unit 33, and a storage unit 34.

[0036] The communication unit 31 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the measuring device 30 to communicate with the energy management server 40. The communication unit 31 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication.

[0037] The measurement unit 32 measures the illuminance in the space block and the amount of power consumption in the space block. The measurement unit 32 is realized by an illuminance sensor for measuring the illuminance, a CT (Current Transformer) for measuring the amount of power consumption, or the like.

[0038] The control unit 33 transmits illuminance data indicating the illuminance measured by the measurement unit 32 and measured power data indicating the power consumption measured by the measurement unit 32 to the energy management server 40 using the communication unit 31. The control unit 33 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 33 are realized by hardware such as the microcomputer or processor constituting the control unit 33 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 34.

[0039] The storage unit 34 is a storage device that stores various types of information such as computer programs executed by the control unit 33. The storage unit 34 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0040] The energy management server 40 manages the illuminance in the space block and the power consumption of the plurality of lighting devices 20. The energy management server 40 includes a communication unit 41, a control unit 42, and a storage unit 43.

[0041] The communication unit 41 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables the energy management server 40 to communicate with the measuring devices 30 and the system management server 50. The communication performed by the communication unit 41 is, for example, wired communication, but may also be wireless communication. There is no particular limitation on the communication standard used for the communication.

[0042] The control unit 42 manages the illuminance in the spatial block and the power consumption of the plurality of lighting devices 20. The control unit 42 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer or a processor. The functions of the control unit 42 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the control unit 42 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 43.

[0043] The storage unit 43 is a storage device that stores various types of information such as computer programs executed by the control unit 42. The storage unit 43 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0044] The system management server 50 presents to the user information regarding replacement of multiple lighting devices installed in a space block. The system management server 50 is an example of a management system, and the management system may be realized by a single server or multiple servers. The system management server 50 includes a communication unit 51, a control unit 52, and a storage unit 53.

[0045] The communication unit 51 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables the system management server 50 to communicate with the user terminal 60, the business operator terminal 70, and the energy management server 40. The communication performed by the communication unit 41 is, for example, wired communication, but may also be wireless communication. There is no particular limitation on the communication standard used for the communication.

[0046] The control unit 52 performs information processing to present to the user information regarding replacement of multiple lighting devices installed in the spatial block. The control unit 52 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The functions of the control unit 52 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the control unit 52 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 53.

[0047] The storage unit 53 is a storage device that stores various types of information such as computer programs executed by the control unit 52. The storage unit 53 is realized by, for example, an HDD, but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0048] The user terminal 60 is an information terminal used by a user. Here, the user refers to a user of the space in which multiple lighting devices 20 are installed. For example, if the space is an office space, the user is a worker who uses the office space. The users include an administrative user and a general user who has less authority than the administrative user. The user terminal 60 is, for example, a personal computer, but may also be a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Specifically, the user terminal 60 includes a display unit 61, a communication unit 62, a control unit 63, and a storage unit 64.

[0049] The display unit 61 is a display that displays images. The display unit 61 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The display unit 61 includes a touch panel. The display unit 61 can receive user operations via the touch panel.

[0050] The communication unit 62 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the user terminal 60 to communicate with the system management server 50. The communication performed by the communication unit 62 is, for example, wired communication, but may also be wireless communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for the communication.

[0051] The control unit 63 performs information processing such as displaying images on the display unit 61. The control unit 63 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The functions of the control unit 63 are realized by the microcomputer or the like constituting the control unit 63 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 64. In other words, the functions of the control unit 63 are realized by, for example, hardware executing software.

[0052] The storage unit 64 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the control unit 63. The computer programs executed by the control unit 63 include predetermined application programs (hereinafter also referred to as predetermined apps) for using the lighting management system 10. The storage unit 64 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0053] The business operator terminal 70 is an information terminal used by a business operator (a business operator who undertakes replacement work) that provides services such as replacement work for lighting devices 20. The business operator terminal 70 is, for example, a personal computer, but may also be a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Specifically, the business operator terminal 70 includes a display unit 71, a communication unit 72, a control unit 73, and a storage unit 74.

[0054] The display unit 71 is a display that displays images. The display unit 71 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The display unit 71 includes a touch panel. The display unit 71 can accept operations from the business operator via the touch panel.

[0055] The communication unit 72 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the business operator terminal 70 to communicate with the system management server 50. The communication performed by the communication unit 72 is, for example, wired communication, but may also be wireless communication. There is no particular limitation on the communication standard used for the communication.

[0056] The control unit 73 performs information processing such as displaying images on the display unit 71. The control unit 73 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The functions of the control unit 73 are realized by the microcomputer or the like constituting the control unit 73 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 74. In other words, the functions of the control unit 73 are realized by, for example, hardware executing software.

[0057] The storage unit 74 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the control unit 73. The storage unit 74 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0058] [Overview of Lighting Management System Operation] Generally, a constant current is supplied to the lighting device 20, and the brightness of the lighting device 20 gradually decreases due to aging. As a result, the illuminance in the space block gradually decreases. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the decrease in illuminance in the space block.

[0059] The lighting management system 10 monitors the illuminance in a space block (in other words, the light-emitting states of the multiple lighting devices 20 installed in the space block), and when it determines that the illuminance in the space block has fallen below a set illuminance (hereinafter also referred to as a certain standard) and is on a downward trend (FIG. 3(a)), it presents a message to the user urging them to replace the lighting devices 20. The lighting management system 10 can also create a replacement plan useful for considering replacing the lighting devices 20 and present it to the user. When the lighting devices 20 are to be replaced, it is expected that the lighting devices 20 will be energy-efficient, and replacing the lighting devices 20 can reduce power consumption (FIG. 3(b)).

[0060] In this specification, replacing the lighting devices 20 installed in a space block means replacing all of the lighting devices 20 installed in the space block at once. In other words, replacing the lighting devices 20 installed in a space block means replacing all of the lighting devices 20 in the group corresponding to the space block with replacement lighting devices 20.

[0061] [Illuminance management operation] Next, the operation of managing illuminance in a space block performed by the lighting management system 10 will be described. Figures 4A to 4C are sequence diagrams showing an example of the operation of the illuminance management system. The operation of managing illuminance corresponds to steps S11 to S19 in Figure 4A. Note that, for simplicity, the following description will be given with one space block as the target, but in reality, the operation will be performed with multiple space blocks as the target.

[0062] It is also assumed that the IDs of a plurality of space blocks and the IDs of the lighting devices 20 installed in each of the space blocks are stored (registered) in advance in the energy management server 40 and the system management server 50. That is, it is assumed that the energy management server 40 and the system management server 50 manage lighting device IDs indicating each group of lighting devices 20 corresponding to a space block in association with the space block ID indicating the space block.

[0063] A menu screen such as that shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 61 of the user terminal 60 while a predetermined application is running. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the menu screen. The user performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal 60 to specify the set illuminance and minimum set illuminance for the space block, and the display unit 61 accepts the predetermined operation. The predetermined operation includes selecting an icon labeled "Set Space Illuminance" on the menu screen of FIG. 5. Here, "setting the space illuminance" refers to setting an illuminance that serves as the "certain standard" described above. The control unit 63 transmits set illuminance information indicating the set illuminance and minimum set illuminance to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 62 (S11). The set illuminance information includes identification information of the target space block. The minimum set illuminance is set as an illuminance that must be maintained at or above the minimum set illuminance in the target space block. The set illuminance is an illuminance higher than the minimum set illuminance and corresponds to a predetermined percentage of the illuminance up to the minimum set illuminance. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the minimum set illuminance may be 450lx in a space block corresponding to a room and 270lx in a space block corresponding to a corridor, but this is not limited to this. Furthermore, for example, the set illuminance may be 500lx in a space block corresponding to a room and 300lx in a space block corresponding to a corridor, but this is not limited to this. The specified ratio is, for example, about 10% to 20%. In either case, this refers to the illuminance of the space block, not the illuminance of each individual lighting device.

[0064] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the set illuminance information. Here, the storage unit 53 has illuminance management information stored in advance. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the illuminance management information. As shown in FIG. 6, the illuminance management information associates the ID of a space block, the ID of a lighting device 20 installed in the space block, the setting date and time of the set illuminance and the minimum set illuminance, the set illuminance, the minimum set illuminance, the measurement date and time of the illuminance, the actual measured illuminance value, and the determination result. The determination result will be described later.

[0065] Based on the set illuminance information received in step S11, the control unit 52 updates the illuminance management information in FIG. 6 by reflecting the set illuminance and set date and time of the target space block in the illuminance management information (S12).

[0066] Thereafter, the measurement unit 32 of the measuring device 30 installed in the target space block measures the illuminance in the space block, and the control unit 33 transmits illuminance data indicating the measured illuminance (hereinafter also referred to as the actual measured value of illuminance) to the energy management server 40 using the communication unit 31 (S13). The illuminance data includes the ID of the space block.

[0067] The communication unit 41 of the energy management server 40 receives the illuminance data. The control unit 42 stores the received illuminance data in the storage unit 43 (S14). The control unit 42 also transmits the illuminance data to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 41 (S15).

[0068] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the illuminance data. Based on the illuminance data received in step S17, the control unit 52 updates the illuminance management information shown in Fig. 6 by reflecting the actual measurement value of the illuminance of the target space block and the measurement date and time in the illuminance management information (S16). The processes of steps S13 to S16 are performed periodically, for example, at time intervals of about one minute to several hours.

[0069] With the illuminance management information being periodically updated in this manner, the user performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal 60 to check the illuminance status in the space block, and the display unit 61 accepts the predetermined operation. The predetermined operation includes selecting an icon labeled "Check current lighting environment" on the menu screen of Fig. 5. In response to the acceptance of the predetermined operation, the control unit 63 transmits a display request to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 62 (S17).

[0070] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the display request. The control unit 52 transmits, to the user terminal 60 using the communication unit 51, display information for displaying a confirmation screen for the illuminance status in the space block, based on the latest illuminance management information stored in the storage unit 53 (S18).

[0071] The communication unit 62 of the user terminal 60 receives the display information. The control unit 63 displays a confirmation screen for the illuminance status of the space block on the display unit 61 based on the received display information (S19). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for the illuminance status of the space block, showing the current measured illuminance value (number on the left) and the set illuminance (number on the right) for each of the multiple space blocks. The smiley face mark indicates that the current measured illuminance value is equal to or greater than the set illuminance (i.e., the determination result in the illuminance management information is normal). The surprised face mark indicates that the current measured illuminance value is lower than the set illuminance and higher than the minimum set illuminance (i.e., the determination result in the illuminance management information is a warning). The crying face mark indicates that the current measured illuminance value is equal to or lower than the minimum set illuminance (i.e., the determination result in the illuminance management information is abnormal). In this way, the confirmation screen of FIG. 7 is displayed based on the illuminance management information of FIG. 6.

[0072] Through the illuminance management operation described above, the lighting management system 10 can control the illuminance of each of a plurality of space blocks included in a space to a constant level and present the illuminance status to the user.

[0073] [Lighting equipment life expectancy prediction] Next, the operation of predicting the lifespan of multiple lighting devices 20 installed in a space block, performed by the lighting management system 10, will be described with reference to Fig. 4A. The operation of predicting the lifespan corresponds to steps S21 to S26 in Fig. 4A. Note that, for simplicity, the following description will be given with one space block as the target, but in reality, the operation will be performed with multiple space blocks as the target.

[0074] The control unit 42 of the energy management server 40 calculates the average value of the illuminance data for the most recent month at a predetermined timing that occurs periodically, such as once a month, and transmits the calculated illuminance data (average value) to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 41 (S21). One month is just an example, and in step S21, it is sufficient that the average value of the illuminance data for the predetermined period is calculated.

[0075] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the illuminance data (average value). Here, the storage unit 53 stores illuminance history information indicating the history of the illuminance data (average value). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the illuminance history information, in which the ID of the space block, the measurement period, the average illuminance, the lighting time, and the determination result are associated with each other. The lighting time is calculated, for example, based on the criterion of the period during which the illuminance is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0076] Here, the determination result means the same determination result as the determination result in the illuminance management information. To explain the determination in more detail, the control unit 52 determines that a warning or abnormality is required (that the lighting device 20 needs to be replaced) when the average illuminance for the most recent month is below the set illuminance and the average illuminance has been decreasing continuously for the most recent predetermined period (e.g., three months). In other words, the control unit 52 determines that a warning or abnormality is required when the average illuminance is below the set illuminance and is not a transient state. That is, even within a day, the impact of, for example, external light on the illuminance of the space block varies depending on the time of day. Also, even within a year, the impact of, for example, external light on the space block varies depending on the season. By using the average illuminance for a predetermined period, it is possible to determine a decreasing trend from a macroscopic and long-term perspective without being affected by transient changes.

[0077] On the other hand, if the average illuminance value for the most recent month is equal to or greater than the set illuminance, or if the average illuminance value for the most recent month exceeds the set illuminance but the average illuminance value does not show a continuing upward trend over a specified period of time (e.g., three months) prior to direct return, the control unit 52 determines that the lighting equipment is normal (it is not time to replace the lighting equipment).

[0078] The control unit 52 updates the illuminance history information by adding the illuminance data (average value) received in step S21 to the illuminance history information (S22). Note that the control unit 52 can also create the illuminance history information based on the illuminance data received daily (the illuminance data received in step S16), in which case the processing of step S21 can be omitted.

[0079] The control unit 52 calculates an approximate line from the latest illuminance history information (time-series data of illuminance) and performs processing such as extending the line toward the future, thereby predicting the lifespan of the lighting device 20 (S23). In other words, the control unit 52 predicts the lifespan of the lighting device 20 by assuming that the illuminance of the lighting device 20 will decrease at the same pace (slope) as before. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the prediction of the lifespan. The vertical axis of Fig. 9 represents illuminance, and the horizontal axis of Fig. 9 represents time.

[0080] The sloping line shown in Fig. 9 indicates a decrease in illuminance. The lifespan of the lighting device 20 refers to the timing at which the illuminance of the lighting device 20 is expected to reach the minimum set illuminance, and in Fig. 9, this timing is described as a replacement deadline. The period from when the illuminance of the lighting device 20 reaches the set illuminance to when it reaches the minimum set illuminance is also referred to as a replacement time. The set illuminance is also referred to as a fixed standard.

[0081] The replacement deadline may be set after a certain period of time (e.g., 15 years) has elapsed since the start of use of the lighting device 20. In other words, the replacement deadline may be set either when the average power consumption is expected to reach the minimum set illuminance or after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of use of the lighting device 20, whichever comes first. The control unit 52 stores the latest prediction result in the storage unit 53.

[0082] In this manner, in a situation where the lifetimes of the plurality of lighting devices 20 installed in the space block are periodically predicted, the user performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal 60 to check the predicted lifetime results, and the display unit 61 accepts the predetermined operation. The predetermined operation includes selecting an icon labeled "Check space illuminance history and forecast" on the menu screen of Fig. 5. In response to the acceptance of the predetermined operation, the control unit 63 transmits a display request to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 62 (S24).

[0083] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the display request. The control unit 52 transmits display information for displaying a lifespan prediction screen to the user terminal 60 using the communication unit 51 based on the latest prediction result stored in the storage unit 53 (S25).

[0084] The communication unit 62 of the user terminal 60 receives the display information. The control unit 63 displays a lifespan prediction screen on the display unit 61 based on the received display information (S26). Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the lifespan prediction screen.

[0085] If multiple lighting devices 20 installed in a space block are due for replacement (i.e., if the illuminance history information indicates that replacement is necessary), a replacement recommendation message is displayed on the prediction screen of Fig. 10. In Fig. 10, the replacement recommendation message is, "The lighting devices in space block A-2 are due for replacement." When the prediction screen of Fig. 10 is displayed, the display information transmitted in step S25 includes replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace the group of lighting devices 20 corresponding to the space block, and the control unit 52 includes, in the replacement recommendation data, a message urging the user to replace the group of lighting devices 20 corresponding to the space block with replacement lighting devices 20.

[0086] In step S24, a predetermined operation may be performed to confirm the exchange recommendation message. In this case, the predetermined operation includes selecting an icon labeled "Confirm exchange recommendation message" on the menu screen of Fig. 5. In this case, the same processes as in steps S24 to S26 are performed, and a confirmation screen such as that shown in Fig. 11 is displayed on the display unit 61 of the user terminal 60. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen for the exchange recommendation message.

[0087] Figure 11 shows a confirmation screen for a replacement recommendation message when the judgment result for the illuminance management information or illuminance history information for three spatial blocks A-1, A-3, and B-1 is normal, the judgment result for the illuminance management information or illuminance history information for two spatial blocks A-2 and B-2 is caution, and the judgment result for the illuminance management information or illuminance history information for spatial block B-3 is abnormal.

[0088] 11, "Replacing the lighting devices in the following space blocks is recommended" corresponds to the replacement recommendation message. When the confirmation screen in Fig. 11 is displayed, the display information transmitted in step S25 includes replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace the group of lighting devices 20 corresponding to the space blocks, and the control unit 52 has included in the replacement recommendation data a message urging the user to replace the group of lighting devices 20 corresponding to the space blocks with replacement lighting devices 20.

[0089] By the above-described lifespan prediction operation, the lighting management system 10 can present the user with a replacement recommendation message urging them to replace the lighting device 20 when the illuminance in the spatial block falls below the set illuminance (certain standard) and is on a downward trend.

[0090] [Power consumption management operation] Next, the operation of managing the power consumption of multiple lighting devices 20 installed in a space block, performed by the lighting management system 10, will be described with reference to Fig. 4B. Note that, for simplicity, the following description will be given focusing on one space block, but in reality, the operation will be performed focusing on multiple space blocks.

[0091] The measurement unit 32 of the measuring device 30 installed in a target space block measures the power consumption of multiple lighting devices 20 installed in the space block, and the control unit 33 transmits measured power data determined based on the measured power consumption to the energy management server 40 using the communication unit 31 (S31). The measured power data includes the ID of the space block, information indicating the amount of power consumption over a predetermined period, such as one day, and the lighting hours of the multiple lighting devices 20. The information indicating the amount of power consumption over the predetermined period may directly indicate the amount of power consumption over the predetermined period, or may be time-series data of the power consumption over the predetermined period and indirectly indicate the amount of power consumption. The control unit 33 may consider the total length of the period during which power consumption is greater than zero as the lighting hours of the multiple lighting devices 20 and include it in the measured power data.

[0092] The communication unit 41 of the energy management server 40 receives the measured power data. The control unit 42 stores the measured power data in the storage unit 43 (S32). The processes of steps S31 and S32 are performed periodically, for example, once a day, and the storage unit 43 accumulates the measured power data every day.

[0093] The control unit 42 calculates the power data by aggregating (summing up) the contents of the measured power data for the most recent month at a predetermined regular interval, such as once a month, and transmits the calculated power data to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 41 (S33).

[0094] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the power data. Here, power management information is pre-stored in the storage unit 53. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the power management information. As shown in FIG. 12, the power management information associates the ID of the space block, the measurement period (month), the amount of power consumption, the lighting time, and the average power consumption. The control unit 52 adds the contents of the power data received in step S33 to the power management information, thereby updating the power management information (S34).

[0095] With the power management information being updated periodically in this manner, the user performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal 60 to check the power consumption status of the space block, and the display unit 61 accepts the predetermined operation. The predetermined operation includes selecting an icon labeled "Check electricity usage to date" on the menu screen of Fig. 5. In response to the acceptance of the predetermined operation, the control unit 63 transmits a display request to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 62 (S35).

[0096] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the display request. The control unit 52 transmits, to the user terminal 60 using the communication unit 51, display information for displaying a confirmation screen showing the status of power consumption in the space block, based on the latest power management information stored in the storage unit 53 (S36).

[0097] The communication unit 62 of the user terminal 60 receives the display information. The control unit 63 displays a confirmation screen for the power consumption status of the space block on the display unit 61 based on the received display information (S37). Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen for the power consumption status of the space block. In this way, the confirmation screen of Figure 13 is displayed based on the power management information of Figure 12.

[0098] By performing the power consumption management operation described above, the lighting management system 10 can present to the user the status of power consumption of the plurality of lighting devices 20 installed in the space block.

[0099] [Presenting a lighting equipment replacement plan] Next, the operation of presenting a replacement plan for multiple lighting devices 20 installed in a space block, performed by the lighting management system 10, will be described with reference to Fig. 4C. Note that, for simplicity, the following description will be given focusing on one space block, but in reality, the operation will be performed focusing on multiple space blocks.

[0100] When the control unit 52 of the system management server 50 determines that it is time to replace a plurality of lighting devices 20 by referring to the illuminance management information (FIG. 6) stored in the memory unit 53 (S41), the control unit 52 transmits an information request for the lighting device information and the contractor information to the business operator terminal 70 using the communication unit 51 (S42).

[0101] The communication unit 72 of the business operator terminal 70 receives the information provision request. Based on the received information provision request, the control unit 73 transmits the lighting device information and the contractor information stored in the storage unit 74 to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 72 (S43). Note that since the business operator terminal 70 is a terminal of the business operator that undertakes the replacement work, there are cases in which the lighting device information is not stored in the storage unit 74 of the business operator terminal 70. In such a case, the lighting device information is transmitted, for example, from an information terminal of a manufacturer that produces the replacement lighting device 20 (an example of a second information processing device) to the business operator terminal 70 (an example of a first information processing device), and then transmitted from the business operator terminal 70 to the system management server 50.

[0102] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the lighting device information and the contractor information. The control unit 52 stores the received lighting device information and contractor information in the storage unit 53 (S44). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting device information, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the contractor information. As shown in FIG. 14, the lighting device information associates the product number, manufacturer, unit price, fixture efficiency, CO2 emissions, and recycling rate. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, the contractor information associates the name of the contractor, contact information, and labor cost.

[0103] Here, building information indicating the product numbers of the lighting devices 20 installed in the space blocks is pre-stored in the storage unit 53. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the building information. As shown in Fig. 16, the building information associates the ID of the space block, the update date, the updater, and the product numbers of the lighting devices 20.

[0104] The control unit 52 creates a replacement plan for the lighting devices 20 based on the lighting device information, contractor information, and building information (S45). First, the control unit 52 identifies the product numbers of the lighting devices 20 (hereinafter also referred to as new lighting devices 20) that can replace the lighting devices 20 (hereinafter also referred to as old lighting devices 20) installed in the target space block. The control unit 52 identifies the specifications of the old lighting devices 20 by comparing the product numbers of the old lighting devices 20 identified from the building information with the product numbers specified in the lighting device information.

[0105] The control unit 52 selects, as a new lighting device 20, a lighting device 20 having specifications closest to those of the old lighting device 20 from among the lighting devices 20 specified in the lighting device information, based on a predetermined algorithm stored in advance in the storage unit 53. Note that the user may specify conditions for selecting the new lighting device 20. For example, the user may specify the manufacturer of the new lighting device 20, the unit price of the new lighting device 20 such as XX yen or less, or the product number of the new lighting device 20 directly.

[0106] Next, the control unit 52 selects a contractor capable of installing the new lighting device 20 in the space block by referring to the contractor information. The control unit 52 selects a contractor based on a predetermined algorithm pre-stored in the storage unit 53. The contractor may be designated by the user.

[0107] Next, the control unit 52 creates a plurality of replacement plans, each with a different timing for replacing the old lighting devices 20 with the new lighting devices 20. Fig. 17 is a diagram for explaining the replacement plans, in which the vertical axis of Fig. 17 represents cost (yen) and the horizontal axis of Fig. 17 represents time.

[0108] The current plan in FIG. 17 is a plan to use the old lighting device 20 until the replacement deadline, and then replace the old lighting device 20 with a new lighting device 20 at the replacement deadline. In this case, the control unit 52 predicts the amount of power consumption based on the power management information, assuming that power consumption will occur at the same pace as before, and multiplies the predicted amount of power consumption by the unit price of electricity to calculate the power cost for the period during which the old lighting device 20 is used (the period until the replacement deadline). The control unit 52 can calculate the cost incurred at the replacement deadline by adding the unit price of the new lighting device 20 indicated in the lighting device information and the labor cost of the contractor indicated in the contractor information. The power cost for the period during which the new lighting device 20 is used (the period after the replacement deadline) can be calculated based on the fixture efficiency, set illuminance, and unit price of electricity of the new lighting device 20 indicated in the lighting device information.

[0109] 17 is a plan to replace old lighting devices 20 with new lighting devices 20 at start timing t1 of the replacement period. In other words, plan 1 is a plan to quickly replace old lighting devices 20 with new lighting devices 20.

[0110] In this case, the control unit 52 can calculate the cost incurred at timing t1 by adding the unit price of the new lighting device 20 indicated in the lighting device information and the labor cost of the contractor indicated in the contractor information. The power cost during the period in which the new lighting device 20 is used (the period after timing t1) can be calculated based on the device efficiency, set illuminance, and unit price of power of the new lighting device 20 indicated in the lighting device information.

[0111] Plan 2 in FIG. 17 is a plan to replace old lighting devices 20 with new lighting devices 20 at start timing t2 of the replacement period.

[0112] In this case, the control unit 52 predicts the amount of power consumption based on the power management information, assuming that power consumption will occur at the same pace as before, and multiplies the predicted amount of power consumption by the unit price of electricity to calculate the power cost for the period during which the old lighting device 20 is used (the period until timing t2). The control unit 52 can calculate the cost incurred at timing t2 by adding the unit price of the new lighting device 20 indicated in the lighting device information and the labor cost of the contractor indicated in the contractor information. The control unit 52 can calculate the power cost for the period during which the new lighting device 20 is used (the period after timing t2) based on the fixture efficiency, set illuminance, and unit price of electricity of the new lighting device 20 indicated in the lighting device information.

[0113] Plan 3 in FIG. 17 is a plan to replace old lighting devices 20 with new lighting devices 20 at start timing t3 of the replacement period.

[0114] In this case, the control unit 52 predicts the amount of power consumption based on the power management information, assuming that power consumption will occur at the same pace as before, and multiplies the predicted amount of power consumption by the unit price of electricity to calculate the power cost for the period during which the old lighting device 20 is used (the period until the replacement deadline). The control unit 52 can calculate the cost incurred at timing t3 by adding the unit price of the new lighting device 20 indicated in the lighting device information and the labor cost of the contractor indicated in the contractor information. The control unit 52 can calculate the power cost for the period during which the new lighting device 20 is used (the period after timing t3) based on the fixture efficiency, set illuminance, and unit price of electricity of the new lighting device 20 indicated in the lighting device information.

[0115] Furthermore, the control unit 52 creates cost information, which is table information summarizing the costs of each plan, in addition to information for displaying the expected cost (graph) as shown in Fig. 17, and stores the cost information in the storage unit 53. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of cost information.

[0116] After the exchange plan is created in step S45 in this manner, the user performs a predetermined operation on user terminal 60 to confirm the exchange plan, and display unit 61 accepts the predetermined operation. The predetermined operation includes, for example, selecting an icon labeled "Confirm exchange plan" on the menu screen of Fig. 5. In response to the acceptance of the predetermined operation, control unit 63 transmits a display request to system management server 50 using communication unit 62 (S46).

[0117] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the display request. The control unit 52 transmits, to the user terminal 60, information for displaying the estimated cost stored in the storage unit 53 and display information for displaying a confirmation screen for the exchange plan based on the cost information, using the communication unit 51 (S47).

[0118] The communication unit 62 of the user terminal 60 receives the display information. The control unit 63 displays an exchange plan confirmation screen on the display unit 61 based on the received display information (S48). Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of the exchange plan confirmation screen.

[0119] When the user actually wishes to request replacement work for the lighting device 20, the user performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal 60 to request replacement, and the display unit 61 accepts the predetermined operation. The predetermined operation includes, for example, selecting an icon that reads "Request replacement work" on the confirmation screen of Fig. 11. In response to the acceptance of the predetermined operation, the control unit 63 transmits work request information to the business operator terminal 70 using the communication unit 62 (S49).

[0120] When the communication unit 72 of the business operator terminal 70 receives the installation request information, it transmits (replies) response information to the user terminal 60 (S50). Thereafter, the business operator carries out the installation work to replace the lighting device 20 (S51).

[0121] When the replacement work of the lighting device 20 is completed, the control unit 73 of the business operator terminal 70 transmits a work completion notice to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 72 based on a predetermined operation of the business operator, etc. (S52). The work completion notice includes information indicating the ID of the space block, the product number of the new lighting device 20, the person who performed the update, etc.

[0122] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the construction completion notification. The control unit 52 updates the building information ( FIG. 16 ) based on the received construction completion notification (S53). Specifically, the control unit 52 updates the product number of the old lighting device 20 to the product number of the new lighting device 20 in the row of the space block ID that is the same as the ID of the space block included in the construction completion notification in the building information, and updates the update date and the updater.

[0123] According to the above-described operation of presenting a replacement plan, the lighting management system 10 can support the user in considering replacement of lighting devices 20.

[0124] The presentation of the replacement plan has the same meaning as recommending replacement of the lighting devices 20. When the confirmation screen of Fig. 19 is displayed, the display information transmitted in step S47 includes replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace the group of lighting devices 20 corresponding to the space block. Furthermore, the confirmation screen of Fig. 19 may also display a replacement recommendation message. In this case, the control unit 52 includes, in the replacement recommendation data, a message urging the user to replace the group of lighting devices 20 corresponding to the space block with replacement lighting devices 20.

[0125] 19 may be determined based on, for example, the fixture efficiency included in the lighting device information. For example, the control unit 52 may include the replacement recommendation message in the replacement recommendation data when it determines, based on the lighting device information (an example of fixture efficiency information indicating the fixture efficiency of a new lighting device 20), that the power consumption of the new lighting device 20, when replacing the old lighting device 20 with the new lighting device 20, is lower than that when the old lighting device 20 is continued to be used. In other words, the old lighting device 20 is the existing lighting device 20, and the new lighting device 20 is, in other words, the lighting device 20 to be replaced.

[0126] Furthermore, when the control unit 52 determines, based on the lighting device information, that the new lighting device 20 is a lighting device 20 such that, if the old lighting device 20 is replaced with the new lighting device 20, the CO2 emissions will be lower than the CO2 emissions if the old lighting device 20 is continued to be used, the control unit 52 may include a replacement recommendation message in the replacement recommendation data.

[0127] [Display of illuminance simulation results] Next, a description will be given of the operation of presenting the illuminance simulation results for a space block performed by the lighting management system 10 when it is assumed that multiple lighting devices 20 have been replaced. Fig. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of presenting the illuminance simulation results. Note that, for simplicity, the following description will be given with one space block as the target, but in reality, the operation will be performed with multiple space blocks as the target.

[0128] When the control unit 52 of the system management server 50 determines that it is time to replace a plurality of lighting devices 20 by referring to the illuminance management information (FIG. 6) stored in the memory unit 53 (S61), the control unit 52 transmits a request for providing lighting device information to the business operator terminal 70 using the communication unit 51 (S62).

[0129] The communication unit 72 of the business operator terminal 70 receives the information provision request. Based on the received information provision request, the control unit 73 transmits the lighting device information stored in the storage unit 74 to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 72 (S63). Note that since the business operator terminal 70 is a terminal of the business operator that undertakes the replacement work, there are cases where the lighting device information is not stored in the storage unit 74 of the business operator terminal 70. In such a case, the lighting device information is transmitted, for example, from an information terminal (an example of a second information processing device) of the manufacturer that produces the replacement lighting device 20 to the business operator terminal 70 (an example of a first information processing device), and then transmitted from the business operator terminal 70 to the system management server 50.

[0130] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the lighting device information. The control unit 52 stores the received lighting device information in the storage unit 53 (S64). In this case, the lighting device information includes device efficiency and deterioration degree information (not shown in FIG. 14 ) related to the deterioration degree of brightness. The deterioration degree information is information indicating the relationship between the cumulative lighting time and the degree of deterioration of brightness, and specifically, information indicating that brightness will decrease by 30% after 40,000 lighting hours have elapsed. The lighting device information including the device efficiency and deterioration degree information is an example of device efficiency information indicating the device efficiency of the replacement lighting device 20.

[0131] Based on the lighting device information, the control unit 52 simulates the illuminance of the space block on the assumption that the current lighting devices 20 (hereinafter also referred to as old lighting devices 20) are replaced with new lighting devices 20 (S65).

[0132] For example, the control unit 52 selects, from the lighting device information, a lighting device 20 whose specifications are closest to those of the old lighting device 20. Furthermore, based on the efficiency of the selected lighting device 20 indicated by the lighting device information, the control unit 52 calculates the initial illuminance in the space block when the old lighting device 20 is replaced with a new lighting device 20 and the same power as that of the old lighting device 20 is supplied to the new lighting device 20.

[0133] Next, the control unit 52 simulates the degree of decrease (slope) in illuminance of the new lighting device 20 from the amount of increase in future lighting time (accumulated lighting time) that can be calculated by assuming that the new lighting device 20 will be used at the same pace as the old lighting device 20 (the lighting time will increase at the same pace) and the deterioration level information included in the lighting device information. The control unit 52 stores the simulation result of illuminance in the storage unit 53.

[0134] After the illuminance simulation results are stored in the storage unit 53 in this manner, the user performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal 60 to confirm the replacement plan, and the display unit 61 accepts the predetermined operation. The predetermined operation includes, for example, selecting an icon labeled "Simulate space illuminance" on the menu screen of Fig. 5. In response to the acceptance of the predetermined operation, the control unit 63 transmits a display request to the system management server 50 using the communication unit 62 (S66).

[0135] The communication unit 51 of the system management server 50 receives the display request. The control unit 52 transmits, to the user terminal 60 using the communication unit 51, display information for displaying a confirmation screen for the illuminance simulation results, based on the illuminance history information, the life prediction results stored in the determination of step S61, and the simulation results, all of which are stored in the storage unit 53 (S67).

[0136] The communication unit 62 of the user terminal 60 receives the display information. The control unit 63 displays a confirmation screen for the illuminance simulation results on the display unit 61 based on the received display information (S68). Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen for the illuminance simulation results.

[0137] 21, the illuminance graph labeled "After Replacement" shows the simulation results of the illuminance of the new lighting devices 20. The illuminance simulation results can be said to be simulation results that represent the improvement in illuminance in a space block when all of the old lighting devices 20 corresponding to the space block are replaced with new replacement lighting devices 20.

[0138] 21, the illuminance graph labeled "Current Plan" shows the actual illuminance of the old lighting device 20 and the predicted illuminance if the old lighting device 20 continues to be used. This graph can be displayed based on the illuminance history information and the predicted lifespan, as described in the operation of predicting the lifespan of the lighting device (steps S21 to S26 in FIG. 4A).

[0139] By performing the above-described operation of presenting the illuminance simulation results, the lighting management system 10 can present to the user the simulation results of the illuminance of the space block when the lighting fixture 20 is replaced.

[0140] [Determining the content of the replacement recommendation message] In the above embodiment, the lifespan of the lighting device 20 is determined in three levels: normal, caution, and abnormal. Here, the caution determination result may include two levels: level 1 and level 2, and the abnormal determination result may be level 3. In this case, for example, the content of the replacement recommendation message displayed on the confirmation screen of FIG. 11 may be changed (determined) depending on the level. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the operation of determining the content of the replacement recommendation message. Note that the following description of the determination operation will be given of an example in which the content of the replacement recommendation message is determined for each of N spatial blocks.

[0141] The control unit 52 of the system management server 50 reads out the illuminance history information (FIG. 8) of the space block n (1≦n≦N) stored in the storage unit 53 (S71). The control unit 52 also reads out the set illuminance and the minimum set illuminance for the space block n from the storage unit 53 (S72).

[0142] Based on the illuminance history information read in step S71 and the set illuminance read in step S72, the control unit 52 determines whether the latest average illuminance is below the set illuminance (certain standard) and whether the average illuminance has been decreasing for the most recent specified period (S73). In other words, the control unit 52 determines whether the current time is for replacement.

[0143] When the control unit 52 determines that the most recent average illuminance value is below a certain standard and that the average illuminance value has been decreasing continuously for the most recent specified period (Yes in S73), it determines the replacement deadline (S74). The control unit 52 can determine the replacement deadline by assuming that the decrease in illuminance in the space block n occurs at the same pace (slope) as before, based on the difference between the most recent average illuminance value and the minimum set illuminance for the space block n. If the operation of the flowchart in FIG. 22 is performed periodically, such as every month, the replacement deadline may fluctuate each time the operation of the flowchart in FIG. 22 is performed due to, for example, an increase or decrease in the frequency of use of the lighting device 20 recently. If the current time falls within the replacement period, the replacement deadline can be said to be variably set for the space block n depending on the most recent illuminance used at the replacement period (the average value of the most recent illuminance).

[0144] Next, the control unit 52 creates an exchange plan (S75). The method for creating the exchange plan has been explained in steps S42 to S45 of Fig. 4C, and therefore detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0145] Next, the control unit 52 determines whether the period from the current time to the replacement deadline is equal to or greater than a reference value (S76). If the control unit 52 determines that the period from the current time to the replacement deadline is equal to or greater than the reference value and that there is a relatively long time until the replacement deadline (Yes in S76), the control unit 52 sets the replacement recommendation message for the space block n to level 1 (low necessity of replacement) (S77).

[0146] On the other hand, when the control unit 52 determines that the period from the current time to the replacement deadline is less than the reference value and that the replacement deadline is approaching (No in S76), it determines whether the current time has passed the replacement deadline (S78). When the control unit 52 determines that the current time has not passed the replacement deadline (No in S78), it sets the replacement recommendation message for the space block n to level 2 (high necessity of replacement) (S79). A level 2 replacement recommendation message is a message that more strongly recommends replacement of the lighting device 20 than a level 1 replacement recommendation message.

[0147] On the other hand, when the control unit 52 determines that the replacement deadline has passed (Yes in S78), it sets a replacement alert (replacement required) for the space block n instead of a replacement recommendation message (S80). The replacement alert is realized by displaying a message such as "Do not use any more. Please replace immediately." In other words, the replacement alert is a level 3 replacement recommendation message.

[0148] If the control unit 52 determines in step S73 that the latest average illuminance is not below the set illuminance, or that the latest average illuminance is below the set illuminance but the average illuminance has not continued to decrease over the most recent predetermined period (No in S73), it considers that replacement of the lighting devices 20 installed in space block n is unnecessary and does not set a replacement recommendation message for space block n. Then, the control unit 52 determines whether n=N (S81), and if it determines that n=N (Yes in S81), it ends the operation. If it determines that n≠N (No in S81), the control unit 52 sets n=n+1 and performs processing on other space blocks from step S71. The control unit 52 also performs the determination in step S81 after the processing of steps S77, S79, and S80.

[0149] In this way, the lighting management system 10 can change the content of the replacement recommendation message depending on the length of the period from the current time to the replacement deadline.

[0150] [Variations] In the above embodiment, when a user performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal 60, replacement recommendation data for displaying a replacement recommendation message, a replacement alert, or a replacement plan on the display unit 61 is transmitted from the system management server 50 to the user terminal 60, and display content based on the replacement recommendation data is displayed on the display unit 61. Here, the replacement recommendation data may be transmitted from the system management server 50 to the user terminal 60 in the form of a push notification or the like, based on a start trigger on the system management server 50 side, without requiring a user operation. For example, the replacement recommendation message or the like (replacement recommendation data) may be transmitted periodically at the time of replacement.

[0151] [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 the exemplified inventions will be explained.

[0152] Invention 1 is an information providing method in a management system for managing a space where multiple LED lighting devices are installed, which acquires illuminance data via a network from an illuminometer that measures the spatial illuminance corresponding to one of multiple spatial blocks that make up the space, determines based on the illuminance data that the spatial illuminance corresponding to the one spatial block has decreased to a predetermined percentage of the minimum set illuminance and is below a certain standard set for the one spatial block and is on a downward trend, and then transmits replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace all of the multiple LED lighting devices that correspond to the one spatial block to a terminal device of a user using the space for display on the terminal device. The lighting devices 20, the system management server 50, the network 80, the measuring devices 30, and the user terminal 60 in the above embodiment are examples of LED lighting devices, a management system, a network, an illuminance meter, and a terminal device.

[0153] This information provision method can present the user with a replacement recommendation message urging them to replace lighting equipment when the illuminance in a space block falls below the set illuminance (certain standard) and is on a downward trend, thereby helping the user to properly understand when to replace LED lighting equipment for each space block.

[0154] Invention 2 is an information provision method of Invention 1, in which the replacement deadline, until the spatial illuminance corresponding to a spatial block reaches the minimum set illuminance, is variably set for a spatial block depending on the spatial illuminance corresponding to the spatial block used at the replacement time.

[0155] According to this information providing method, the replacement deadline is set individually for each space block, so that the replacement time can be grasped more accurately based on the spatial illuminance corresponding to each space block.

[0156] Invention 3 is the information providing method of Invention 2, in which the replacement recommendation data is transmitted periodically at the time of replacement.

[0157] This method of providing information can prompt users to periodically replace their LED lighting equipment when the time for replacement arrives.

[0158] Invention 4 is the information providing method of any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the minimum set illuminance corresponds to one space block.

[0159] According to this information providing method, the minimum set illuminance corresponds to a spatial block, so it is possible to determine whether the spatial illuminance has fallen below a certain standard and is on a decreasing trend based on the minimum set illuminance corresponding to the spatial block.

[0160] Invention 5 is an information providing method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 4, in which equipment efficiency information indicating the fixture efficiency of a replacement LED lighting device is acquired in a management system, and if it is determined based on the equipment efficiency information that the replacement LED lighting device is a lighting device that will consume less power if all existing LED lighting devices corresponding to a space block are replaced with the replacement LED lighting device than would be the case if all existing LED lighting devices were continued to be used, a message urging the user using the space to replace all of the group of LED lighting devices corresponding to the space block with the replacement LED lighting device is sent to the terminal device for display on the terminal device of the user using the space.

[0161] This information provision method can encourage users to switch to LED lighting equipment when doing so can reduce power consumption, which not only provides cost benefits to individual users but also leads to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

[0162] Invention 6 is the information providing method of Invention 5, in which the equipment efficiency information is acquired from a first information processing device of a business operator who undertakes the replacement work using replacement LED lighting equipment. The business operator terminal 70 in the above embodiment is an example of the first information processing device.

[0163] In this information providing method, the equipment efficiency information can be acquired from the first information processing device.

[0164] Invention 7 is the information providing method of Invention 6, in which the equipment efficiency information is transmitted from a second information processing device of a manufacturer that produces replacement LED lighting equipment to a first information processing device of the business operator.

[0165] In this information providing method, the equipment efficiency information transmitted from the second information processing device to the first information processing device can be acquired from the first information processing device.

[0166] Invention 8 is an information providing method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 7, in which a lighting device ID indicating each of a group of LED lighting devices corresponding to one spatial block is managed in a management system in association with a spatial block ID indicating one spatial block.

[0167] This information providing method makes it possible to manage which lighting devices are installed in which spatial blocks.

[0168] Invention 9 is the information providing method of any one of Inventions 1 to 8, wherein the illuminance data corresponds to an average value of spatial illuminance corresponding to one spatial block over a predetermined period of time.

[0169] In this information providing method, the equipment efficiency information transmitted from the second information processing device to the first information processing device can be acquired from the first information processing device.

[0170] Invention 10 is an information providing method of Invention 1, in which equipment efficiency information indicating the fixture efficiency of replacement LED lighting devices is acquired in a management system, and simulation results showing the improvement in illuminance in a space block when a group of all LED lighting devices corresponding to the space block are replaced with replacement LED lighting devices based on the equipment efficiency information are transmitted to a terminal device of a user using the space for display on the terminal device.

[0171] With this information providing method, the user can check how much the illuminance in a spatial block will improve if the user replaces the existing LED lighting device, and then decide whether to replace the existing LED lighting device with a new one.

[0172] Invention 11 is a management system for managing a space in which a plurality of LED lighting devices are installed, which acquires illuminance data via a network from an illuminance meter that measures the spatial illuminance corresponding to one of a plurality of spatial blocks that make up the space, and determines, based on the illuminance data, that the spatial illuminance corresponding to the one spatial block has decreased to a predetermined rate up to the minimum set illuminance and is below a certain standard set for the one spatial block and is on a downward trend, and then transmits replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace all of the plurality of LED lighting devices that correspond to the one spatial block to a terminal device of a user who uses the space, for display on the terminal device.

[0173] This management system can display a message to the user urging them to replace lighting equipment when the illuminance in a space block falls below the set illuminance (certain standard) and is on a downward trend, thereby helping the user to properly understand when to replace LED lighting equipment for each space block.

[0174] Invention 12 is a terminal device in the management system of Invention 10, which acquires replacement recommendation data from the management system encouraging replacement of all groups of LED lighting devices with replacement LED lighting devices, and displays display content based on the replacement recommendation data on a display.

[0175] Such a terminal device can assist the user in determining when to replace LED lighting devices for each spatial block.

[0176] Invention 13 is an information providing method in a management system for managing a space in which a plurality of LED lighting devices are installed, comprising the steps of: acquiring, via a network, first illuminance data obtained from a first illuminance meter that measures a first spatial illuminance corresponding to a first spatial block among a plurality of spatial blocks that make up the space; acquiring, via the network, second illuminance data obtained from a second illuminance meter that measures a second spatial illuminance corresponding to a second spatial block among a plurality of spatial blocks that make up the space; and determining, based on the first illuminance data, that the first spatial illuminance corresponding to the first spatial block has decreased to a first predetermined rate of decreasing to the first minimum set illuminance and has fallen below a first certain standard set for the first spatial block, and is on a decreasing trend. an information providing method in which first replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace all of a group of LED lighting devices corresponding to a first spatial block among the plurality of LED lighting devices is transmitted to a terminal device of a user using a space for display on the terminal device; and after determining, based on the second illuminance data, that a second spatial illuminance corresponding to the second spatial block has decreased to a second predetermined rate toward a second minimum set illuminance and has fallen below a second certain standard set for the second spatial block and is on a downward trend, the information providing method transmits second replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace all of a group of LED lighting devices corresponding to the second spatial block among the plurality of LED lighting devices for display on the terminal device, wherein the first certain standard is different from the second certain standard.

[0177] This information providing method can present a replacement recommendation message to the user urging them to replace the lighting device when the illuminance in the space block falls below the set illuminance (certain standard) and is on a downward trend. This can help the user to properly understand the replacement timing of the LED lighting device for each space block. Note that, for example, the first space block may be a space block corresponding to a room where the user works, while the second space block may be a space block corresponding to a hallway.

[0178] Invention 14 is the information providing method of Invention 13, wherein the first minimum set illuminance is the same as the second minimum set illuminance.

[0179] This information providing method can help the user to know when to replace the LED lighting devices for each space block when the same minimum illuminance setting is set for the LED lighting devices installed in the first space block and the LED lighting devices installed in the second space block.

[0180] Invention 15 is the information providing method of Invention 13, wherein the first minimum set illuminance is different from the second minimum set illuminance.

[0181] This information providing method can help the user to understand when to replace the LED lighting devices for each space block when different minimum illumination settings are set for the LED lighting devices installed in the first space block and the LED lighting devices installed in the second space block.

[0182] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0183] For example, in the above embodiment, it has been explained that the management system may be realized by a single server or by multiple servers. As such, the "system" in this specification may be configured by a single device or by multiple devices. When a system is configured by multiple devices, the components (especially functional components) of the system may be allocated in any way among the multiple devices.

[0184] Furthermore, the method of communication between the devices in the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited. Furthermore, a relay device (such as a broadband router, not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0185] 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.

[0186] 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.

[0187] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, 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.

[0188] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present disclosure 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 may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0189] For example, the present disclosure may be realized as an information providing method executed by a computer such as the management system of the above-described embodiment, or as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer to execute the information providing method. Furthermore, the present disclosure may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0190] In addition, the invention of this disclosure also includes forms obtained by making 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 that does not deviate from the intent of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0191] 10 Lighting Management System 20 Lighting equipment 21, 31, 41, 51, 62, 72 Communications Department 22 Light source section 23, 33, 42, 52, 63, 73 Control section 24, 34, 43, 53, 64, 74 storage section 30 Measuring Equipment 40 Energy Management Server 50 System Management Server 60 User terminals 70 Operator terminal 80 Network

Claims

1. An information providing method in a management system that manages a space in which a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting devices are installed, comprising: acquiring, via a network, illuminance data obtained from an illuminometer that measures spatial illuminance corresponding to one of the plurality of spatial blocks that constitute the one space; and after determining, based on the illuminance data, that the spatial illuminance corresponding to the one space block has decreased to a predetermined rate up to the minimum set illuminance and is on a decreasing trend below a certain standard set for the one space block, transmitting replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace all of the LED lighting devices corresponding to the one space block among the plurality of LED lighting devices to a terminal device of a user using the one space for display on the terminal device. Information provision method.

2. a replacement time limit until the spatial illuminance corresponding to the one spatial block reaches the minimum set illuminance is variably set for the one spatial block according to the spatial illuminance corresponding to the one spatial block used at the replacement time; The information providing method according to claim 1.

3. The replacement recommendation data is periodically transmitted at the time of replacement; 3. The information providing method according to claim 2.

4. The minimum set illuminance corresponds to the one spatial block. The information providing method according to claim 1.

5. In the management system, Equipment efficiency information indicating fixture efficiency of the replacement LED lighting equipment is obtained; when it is determined based on the equipment efficiency information that the replacement LED lighting equipment is a lighting equipment that will consume less power if all of the existing LED lighting equipment corresponding to the one space block are replaced with the replacement LED lighting equipment than if all of the existing LED lighting equipment were continued to be used, a message urging the user to replace all of the group of LED lighting equipment corresponding to the one space block with the replacement LED lighting equipment is transmitted to a terminal device of a user who uses the one space to be displayed on the terminal device; The information providing method according to claim 1.

6. the equipment efficiency information is acquired from a first information processing device of a business operator that undertakes the replacement work using the replacement LED lighting equipment; 6. The information providing method according to claim 5.

7. the equipment efficiency information is transmitted from a second information processing device of a manufacturer that manufactures the replacement LED lighting equipment to the first information processing device of the business; 7. The information providing method according to claim 6.

8. In the management system, a lighting device ID indicating each of the group of LED lighting devices corresponding to the one space block is managed in association with the space block ID indicating the one space block; The information providing method according to claim 1.

9. the illuminance data corresponds to an average value of spatial illuminance corresponding to the one spatial block over a predetermined period of time; The information providing method according to claim 1.

10. In the management system, Equipment efficiency information indicating fixture efficiency of the replacement LED lighting equipment is obtained; transmitting a simulation result indicating an improvement in illuminance in the one space block when all of the LED lighting devices corresponding to the one space block are replaced with the replacement LED lighting devices based on the device efficiency information to a terminal device of a user who uses the one space for display on the terminal device; The information providing method according to claim 1.

11. A management system for managing a space in which a plurality of LED lighting devices are installed, acquiring, via a network, illuminance data obtained from an illuminometer that measures spatial illuminance corresponding to one of the plurality of spatial blocks that constitute the one space; and after determining, based on the illuminance data, that the spatial illuminance corresponding to the one space block has decreased to a predetermined rate up to the minimum set illuminance and is on a decreasing trend below a certain standard set for the one space block, transmitting replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace all of the LED lighting devices corresponding to the one space block among the plurality of LED lighting devices to a terminal device of a user using the one space for display on the terminal device. Management system.

12. acquiring, from the management system, replacement recommendation data that prompts replacement of all of the group of LED lighting devices with replacement LED lighting devices; displaying on a display the content based on the replacement recommendation data; A terminal device in the management system according to claim 11.

13. An information providing method in a management system that manages a space in which a plurality of LED lighting devices are installed, comprising: acquire, via a network, first illuminance data obtained from a first illuminance meter that measures a first spatial illuminance corresponding to a first spatial block among a plurality of spatial blocks that constitute the one space; acquiring, via a network, second illuminance data obtained from a second illuminance meter that measures a second spatial illuminance corresponding to a second spatial block among the plurality of spatial blocks that constitute the one space; and after determining, based on the first illuminance data, that the first spatial illuminance corresponding to the first spatial block has decreased to a first predetermined rate toward a first minimum set illuminance and is on a decreasing trend below a first certain standard set for the first spatial block, transmitting first replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace all of the LED lighting devices corresponding to the first spatial block among the plurality of LED lighting devices to a terminal device of a user who uses the one space for display on the terminal device; and after determining, based on the second illuminance data, that the second spatial illuminance corresponding to the second spatial block has decreased to a second predetermined rate toward a second minimum set illuminance and has fallen below a second certain standard set for the second spatial block and is on a decreasing trend, transmitting second replacement recommendation data indicating that it is time to replace all of the LED lighting devices corresponding to the second spatial block among the plurality of LED lighting devices, for display on the terminal device; The first predetermined criterion is different from the second predetermined criterion. Information provision method.

14. The first minimum set illuminance is the same as the second minimum set illuminance.

14. The information providing method according to claim 13.

15. The first minimum set illuminance is different from the second minimum set illuminance.

14. The information providing method according to claim 13.

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