Video control system, video system, video control method, and program

Abstract

This system provides a video control system that can accurately match the content of the video displayed on a monitor by a video device with the weather conditions outside the facility where the video device is installed. [Solution] The video control system 10 controls a video device 20 that displays pre-registered video on an indoor monitor 30 installed in the facility 40. The system includes an illuminance sensor 11 that measures the illuminance outside the facility 40 and a control unit 13. The control unit 13 identifies the weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on time information indicating the time when the illuminance sensor 11 measured the illuminance outside the facility 40 and illuminance information indicating the illuminance outside the facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11, and controls the video device 20 to display the registered video corresponding to the identified weather conditions on the indoor monitor 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a video control system and the like.

Background Art

[0002] There has been proposed a home environment system that controls the environment inside a building by utilizing weather forecast data obtained from a weather information site on the Internet (for example, described in Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the weather forecast data published on the Internet covers a wide area, the weather shown in the weather forecast data may not match the weather outside the facility. As a result, when the above home environment system controls a video device based on the weather forecast data, the content of the video projected on the monitor may not match the weather outside the facility where the video device is installed. In addition, since the weather forecast data published on the Internet is prediction information of the weather several hours or several tens of minutes later, there may be a time lag between the weather shown in the weather forecast data and the weather outside the facility. As a result, when the above home environment system controls a video device based on the weather forecast data, there may be a time lag between the content of the video projected on the monitor and the weather outside the facility where the video device is installed.

[0005] The present invention provides a video control system and the like that can accurately match the content of the video projected by a video device on a monitor with the weather outside the facility where the video device is installed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A video control system according to one aspect of the present invention is a video control system for controlling a video device that displays pre-registered registered video on an indoor monitor installed in a facility, comprising an illuminance sensor for measuring the illuminance outside the facility and a control unit, wherein the control unit identifies the weather conditions outside the facility based on time information indicating the time when the illuminance sensor measured the illuminance outside the facility and illuminance information indicating the illuminance outside the facility measured by the illuminance sensor, and controls the video device to display the registered video corresponding to the identified weather conditions on the indoor monitor.

[0007] An image system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises the image control system and the image device.

[0008] A video control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a video control method performed by a video control system that controls a video device that displays a pre-registered registered video on an indoor monitor installed in a facility, wherein the video control system includes an illuminance sensor that measures the illuminance outside the facility, and the video control method includes the steps of identifying a weather condition indicating the weather outside the facility based on time information indicating the time when the illuminance sensor measured the illuminance outside the facility and illuminance information indicating the illuminance outside the facility measured by the illuminance sensor, and controlling the video device to display the registered video corresponding to the identified weather condition on the indoor monitor.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the video control method described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The video control system and the like disclosed herein can accurately match the content of the video displayed on the monitor by the video device with the weather outside the facility where the video device is installed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the video system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the video system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a table used by the control unit of the video control system to identify weather conditions. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A shows a first example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside the facility. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B shows a second example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside the facility. [Figure 4C] Figure 4C shows a third example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside the facility. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all specific examples of this disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, as well as the processes (steps) and their order, shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Accordingly, any components in the following embodiments that are not described in the independent claims of this disclosure will be described as optional components.

[0013] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment) [Video system configuration] The configuration of the video system according to the embodiment will be described below. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the video system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0015] The imaging system 100 is a system that projects pre-registered recorded images onto the indoor monitor 30 installed in the facility 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging system 100 includes an image control system 10, an imaging device 20, and an indoor monitor 30.

[0016] The image control system 10 is a system that controls the imaging device 20 that projects pre-registered recorded images onto the indoor monitor 30 installed in the facility 40. The image control system 10 includes an illuminance sensor 11, an acquisition unit 12, a control unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

[0017] The illuminance sensor 11 is a sensor that measures the illuminance outside the facility 40. The illuminance sensor 11 may be installed at a location where it can measure the illuminance outside the facility 40. Specifically, the illuminance sensor 11 may be installed in a specific room of the facility 40 or outside the facility 40. Here, "installed outside the facility 40" can be rephrased as being installed within the site of the facility 40 or installed along with the facility 40.

[0018] The acquisition unit 12 acquires time information and illuminance information from the illuminance sensor 11 every certain period (for example, every 5 minutes). The time information indicates the time when the illuminance sensor 11 measures the illuminance outside the facility 40. The illuminance information indicates the illuminance outside the facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11.

[0019] The control unit 13 controls the imaging device 20 by causing the communication unit 15 to transmit a control signal. The control unit 13 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0020] The storage unit 14 is a storage device that stores a control program and the like executed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 14 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0021] The communication unit 15 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the video control system 10 to communicate with the video device 20 via a local communication network. The communication performed by the communication unit 15 may be, for example, wireless communication, but it may also be wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standards used for communication.

[0022] The video device 20 is a video playback device that displays pre-registered video on the indoor monitor 30. The video device 20 comprises a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0023] The communication unit 21 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the video device 20 to communicate with the video control system 10 and the indoor monitor 30 via a local communication network. The communication performed by the communication unit 21 may be wireless communication, for example, but it may also be wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standards used for communication.

[0024] The control unit 22 selects one registered video from the registered videos stored in the storage unit 23 based on a control signal transmitted by the communication unit 15 of the video control system 10. The control unit 22 displays the selected registered video on the indoor monitor 30 by having the communication unit 21 transmit a control signal corresponding to the selected registered video. The control unit 22 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but it is also implemented by a processor.

[0025] The memory unit 23 is a storage device that stores control programs executed by the control unit 22 and registered images, etc. The memory unit 23 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory. The registered images are images corresponding to the weather (for example, sunny, cloudy, and rainy) or the season (for example, spring, summer, autumn, and winter), and may be images created with computer graphics (CG) or images that have been actually filmed. Images corresponding to the weather are, for example, images showing the sky in various conditions such as sunny, cloudy, and rainy. Images corresponding to the season are, for example, images showing natural scenery. Specifically, an image corresponding to spring may be an image of cherry blossoms in bloom, an image corresponding to summer may be an image of trees with lush green leaves, an image corresponding to autumn may be an image of trees with autumn leaves, and an image corresponding to winter may be an image of trees covered in snow.

[0026] The indoor monitor 30 is a display that shows registered video and is implemented using a display panel such as an LCD panel or an organic EL (Spellout) panel. The indoor monitor 30 is installed, for example, on the wall or ceiling of the facility 40.

[0027] Facility 40 is, for example, a residence (a detached house or an apartment building). Alternatively, facility 40 may be a large multi-story building used as a commercial facility or office (a non-residential facility), or it may be a non-residential facility such as a hospital or factory.

[0028] [Video system operation] Next, the operation of the video system 100 will be described. Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the video system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0029] First, the illuminance sensor 11 of the video control system 10 measures the illuminance outside the facility 40 (S11). The acquisition unit 12 acquires from the illuminance sensor 11 the time information when the illuminance outside the facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11, and illuminance information indicating the illuminance outside the facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11 (S12).

[0030] The control unit 13 identifies the weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on the time information and illuminance information acquired in step S12 (S13). In this embodiment, in step S13, the control unit 13 identifies a weather condition that is one of the following: "sunny," "cloudy," or "rainy." The specific operation of the control unit 13 when identifying the weather conditions will be described later.

[0031] The communication unit 15 transmits a control signal corresponding to the weather condition identified in step S13 to the communication unit 21 of the video device 20 (S14).

[0032] The control unit 22 of the video device 20 selects one registered video (i.e., a registered video corresponding to the weather conditions) from among the registered videos stored in the storage unit 23 based on the control signal received by the communication unit 21 (S15). The communication unit 21 transmits a control signal corresponding to the registered video selected in step S15 to the indoor monitor 30 (S16).

[0033] Then, the indoor monitor 30 displays the registered video based on the received control signal (S17).

[0034] The video control system 10 identifies the current weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on time information and illuminance information. This allows the video control system 10 to eliminate the discrepancy between the identified weather conditions and the actual weather outside the facility 40, enabling it to identify weather conditions in near real-time. In other words, the video control system 10 can control the video device 20 to display registered video that corresponds to rapid weather changes outside the facility 40.

[0035] [Identifying weather conditions] The following describes the specific operations of the control unit 13 when it identifies weather conditions.

[0036] The control unit 13 calculates the change in illuminance per unit time outside the facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11 from the time information and illuminance information acquired in step S12 of Figure 2, and compares the calculated change in illuminance per unit time with a table stored in the storage unit 14 to identify the weather condition. Figure 3 shows an example of a table used by the control unit 13 of the video control system 10 when identifying the weather condition.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the table consists of two patterns: one for the morning and one for the afternoon. In other words, if the acquired time information corresponds to the morning, the control unit 13 compares the calculated change in illuminance per unit time with the morning column in the table in Figure 3 to determine the weather condition. On the other hand, if the acquired time information corresponds to the afternoon, the control unit 13 compares the calculated change in illuminance per unit time with the afternoon column in the table in Figure 3 to determine the weather condition.

[0038] [Specific examples] In the following section, we will explain specific examples of how the control unit 13 uses the table in Figure 3 to identify weather conditions, using Figures 4A to 4C. Note that the following explanation will focus on the case where the illuminance sensor 11 measured the external illuminance of facility 40 in the morning; however, the process is the same even if the time is in the afternoon, so the explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, in the graphs shown in Figures 4A to 4C, the horizontal axis represents the measurement time when the illuminance sensor 11 measured the external illuminance of facility 40, and the vertical axis represents the external illuminance of facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11. The graphs in Figures 4A to 4C also show the change in external illuminance of facility 40 over time. In other words, the graphs in Figures 4A to 4C include time information and illuminance information acquired by the acquisition unit 12.

[0039] Figure 4A shows a first example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside facility 40. Figure 4A shows an example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside facility 40 when the weather outside facility 40 is sunny.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4A, the illuminance increases monotonically over time, and the change in illuminance outside facility 40 per unit time is 13 lx / min or more. This is because the weather outside facility 40 is sunny and the sky is not covered with clouds, so the illuminance increases as the sun's altitude rises. When such time information and illuminance information are acquired for a certain period of time or longer, the control unit 13 refers to the morning column in the table in Figure 3 and identifies the weather condition as "sunny". Specifically, if the change in illuminance outside facility 40 per unit time is 13 lx / min or more and continues for a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes) or longer, the control unit 13 identifies the weather condition as "sunny". The control unit 13 then controls the video device 20 to display the registered video corresponding to the sunny video on the indoor monitor 30.

[0041] Figure 4B shows a second example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside facility 40. Note that Figure 4B shows an example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside facility 40 when the weather outside facility 40 is cloudy.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4B, the illuminance changes over time, but it repeatedly rises and falls, and the change in illuminance per unit time outside facility 40 is between 5 lx / min and 13 lx / min. This is because the weather outside facility 40 is cloudy, and the illuminance increases when sunlight reaches through breaks in the clouds, and decreases when the sun is covered by clouds. When such time and illuminance information is acquired, the control unit 13 refers to the morning column in the table in Figure 3 and identifies the weather condition as "cloudy". Specifically, if the change in illuminance per unit time outside facility 40 is between 5 lx / min and 13 lx / min and continues for a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes) or longer, the control unit 13 identifies the weather condition as "cloudy". The control unit 13 then controls the video device 20 to display the registered video corresponding to the cloudy video on the indoor monitor 30.

[0043] Figure 4C shows a third example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside facility 40. Figure 4C specifically shows an example of the change in illuminance per unit time outside facility 40 when the weather outside facility 40 is rainy.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4C, the illuminance hardly changes over time, and the change in illuminance outside facility 40 per unit time is between 1 lx / min and 5 lx / min. This is because the weather outside facility 40 is rainy, and the sky is covered with thick clouds and it is raining. When such time information and illuminance information are acquired for a certain period of time or longer, the control unit 13 refers to the morning column in the table in Figure 3 and identifies the weather condition as "rainy". Specifically, if the change in illuminance outside facility 40 per unit time is between 1 lx / min and 5 lx / min, and this continues for a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes) or longer, the control unit 13 identifies the weather condition as "rainy". The control unit 13 then controls the video device 20 to display the registered video corresponding to the rain on the indoor monitor 30.

[0045] [Effects, etc.] The following describes examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosures in this specification, and explains the effects and other benefits that can be obtained from such inventions.

[0046] Invention 1 is a video control system 10 that controls a video device 20 that displays pre-registered registered video on an indoor monitor 30 installed in a facility 40, and comprises an illuminance sensor 11 that measures the illuminance outside the facility 40 and a control unit 13, wherein the control unit 13 identifies the weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on time information indicating the time when the illuminance sensor 11 measured the illuminance outside the facility 40 and illuminance information indicating the illuminance outside the facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11, and controls the video device 20 to display the registered video corresponding to the identified weather conditions on the indoor monitor 30.

[0047] This video control system 10 identifies the current weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on time information and illuminance information, thereby eliminating the discrepancy between the identified weather conditions and the actual weather outside the facility 40, and enabling near real-time weather identification. As a result, the video control system 10 can accurately match the content of the video displayed on the indoor monitor 30 by the video device 20 with the weather outside the facility 40 where the video device 20 is installed.

[0048] Furthermore, since the video control system 10 identifies the weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on time information and illuminance information, it is possible to identify the weather conditions in near real-time without using a complex system to identify the weather conditions outside the facility 40.

[0049] Invention 2 is the video control system 10 of Invention 1, wherein the control unit 13 identifies the weather conditions based on the amount of change per unit time of illuminance outside the facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11.

[0050] Since this video control system 10 identifies the weather conditions based on the rate of change in illuminance outside the facility 40 per unit time, it can accurately match the content of the video displayed by the video device 20 on the indoor monitor 30 with the weather outside the facility 40 where the video device 20 is installed.

[0051] Invention 3 is a video control system 10 according to Invention 1 or 2, wherein the illuminance sensor 11 is installed outside the facility 40.

[0052] By installing such a video control system 10 outside the facility 40, it is possible to avoid situations where the illuminance outside the facility 40 cannot be measured due to the use of curtains or blinds installed on the windows of the facility 40.

[0053] Furthermore, to understand the weather conditions, cameras are generally used to acquire images of the area outside the facility 40. However, if the camera lens becomes dirty, it becomes impossible to accurately determine the weather conditions, so regular maintenance such as wiping the camera lens clean is necessary. In contrast, the video control system 10 of the present invention uses an illuminance sensor 11 to determine the weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on the amount of change in illuminance. In other words, the video control system 10 determines the weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on the relative amount of change. Therefore, the video control system 10 can accurately determine the weather conditions even if the illuminance sensor 11 is dirty. As a result, such a video control system 10 requires less maintenance than a system that uses cameras.

[0054] Invention 4 is a video system 100 comprising a video control system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 3 and a video device 20.

[0055] Such a video system 100 can accurately match the content of the video displayed by the video device 20 on the indoor monitor 30 with the weather outside the facility 40 where the video device 20 is installed.

[0056] Invention 5 is the video system 100 of Invention 4, further comprising an indoor monitor 30.

[0057] Such a video system 100 can accurately match the content of the video displayed by the video device 20 on the indoor monitor 30 with the weather outside the facility 40 where the video device 20 is installed.

[0058] Invention 6 is a video control method performed by a video control system 10 that controls a video device 20 that displays pre-registered registered video on an indoor monitor 30 installed in a facility 40, wherein the video control system 10 includes an illuminance sensor 11 that measures the illuminance outside the facility 40, and the video control method includes the steps of: identifying a weather condition indicating the weather outside the facility 40 based on time information indicating the time when the illuminance sensor 11 measured the illuminance outside the facility 40 and illuminance information indicating the illuminance outside the facility 40 measured by the illuminance sensor 11 (S13); and controlling the video device 20 to display a registered video corresponding to the identified weather condition on the indoor monitor 30 (S14).

[0059] This video control method identifies the current weather conditions outside the facility 40 based on time information and illuminance information within the facility 40. This eliminates the discrepancy between the identified weather conditions and the actual weather outside the facility 40, allowing for near real-time weather identification. As a result, the video control method can accurately match the content of the video displayed by the video device 20 on the indoor monitor 30 with the weather outside the facility 40 where the video device 20 is installed.

[0060] Invention 7 is a program for causing a computer to execute the video control method of Invention 6.

[0061] Such a program produces the same effects as the video control method described above.

[0062] (Other embodiments) Although a video control system, etc., relating to one or more embodiments has been described above based on the above embodiments, this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, various modifications that a person skilled in the art could conceive of may be applied to the above embodiments, or forms constructed by combining components from different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more embodiments.

[0063] For example, in the above embodiment, a process executed by one processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0064] Furthermore, the communication method between devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. In addition, relay devices (not shown) may be involved in the communication between devices.

[0065] Furthermore, the order of processing described in the flowchart of the above embodiment is just one example. The order of multiple processing steps may be changed, and multiple processing steps may be executed in parallel.

[0066] Furthermore, although the video control system and video system were implemented by multiple devices in the above embodiment, they may also be implemented as a single device. The video control system and video system may be implemented as a single device corresponding to a control device, or as a single device corresponding to a server device. Also, when the video control system and video system are implemented by multiple devices, the components of the video control system and video system may be distributed among the multiple devices in any way.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the video control system may control devices other than the video device according to the specified weather conditions. The video control system may control devices such as air conditioners, lighting devices, speakers, and aroma diffusers according to the specified weather conditions.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0069] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the video control system, etc., according to the above embodiment may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0070] Some or all of the components constituting each of the above devices may consist of detachable IC cards or standalone modules attached to each device. The IC card or module is a computer system composed of a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The IC card or module may include a highly functional LSI. The microprocessor operates according to a computer program, thereby enabling the IC card or module to achieve its function. The IC card or module may also be tamper-resistant.

[0071] Furthermore, the general or specific embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. They may also be implemented in any combination of systems, apparatus, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, and recording media.

[0072] For example, the invention may be implemented as a video control method executed by a computer, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a video control method. Furthermore, the invention may be implemented as a computer-readable, non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded. The invention may also be a program product containing such a program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10. Video control system 11. Illuminance sensor 13 Control Unit 20 Video equipment 30 Indoor Monitors 40 facilities 100 Video Systems

Claims

1. A video control system that controls a video device that displays pre-registered video footage on an indoor monitor installed in a facility, An illuminance sensor for measuring the illuminance outside the facility, It includes a control unit, The control unit, Based on time information indicating the time when the illuminance sensor measured the illuminance outside the facility, and illuminance information indicating the illuminance outside the facility measured by the illuminance sensor, the weather conditions outside the facility are identified. The video device is controlled to display the registered video corresponding to the identified weather conditions on the indoor monitor. Video control system.

2. The control unit identifies the weather conditions based on the amount of change per unit time of illuminance outside the facility measured by the illuminance sensor. The video control system according to claim 1.

3. The illuminance sensor is located outside the facility. The video control system according to claim 1.

4. The video control system according to claims 1 to 3, The video device is provided as described above. Video system.

5. Furthermore, equipped with the aforementioned indoor monitor, The video system according to claim 4.

6. A video control method performed by a video control system that controls a video device that displays pre-registered video on an indoor monitor installed in a facility, The video control system includes an illuminance sensor that measures the illuminance outside the facility, The aforementioned video control method is: A step of identifying weather conditions indicating the weather outside the facility based on time information indicating the time when the illuminance sensor measured the illuminance outside the facility and illuminance information indicating the illuminance outside the facility measured by the illuminance sensor, The steps include controlling the video device to display the registered video corresponding to the identified weather conditions on the indoor monitor, Video control method.

7. A program for causing a computer to execute the video control method described in claim 6.

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